WE don’t like to talk about weight. It’s personal, it’s awkward and, for many of us, it can feel like stepping on a set of scales is as nerve-racking as going through a double combination. But when it comes to our horses, avoiding the subject does them no favours. That’s why Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) has drawn a line in the sand.

For all their competitions, clinics, and camps, RoR use a clear rider-to-horse weight ratio: ideally, rider plus tack should be no more than 17% of the horse’s bodyweight, and it must never exceed 20%. In Ireland, Treo Eile don’t have their own ratio, but recommends following the guidelines from RoR.